Process and apparatus for making paper or the like



March 15, 1927.

C. H. ALLEN PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PAPER OR THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 11, 1926 v March 15, 192-7,

C. H. ALLEN PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PAPER OR THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 11, 1926 INVEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

a ch c. H, ALLEN PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PAPER OR THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jam. 11, 1926 ITORNEY.

Patented Mar. 15, 1927.

UNITED STAES PATENT CARLTON H. ALLEN, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PAPER OR THE LIKE.

- Application filed January 11,1926. Serial No. 80,585.

This invention relates to a. process and apparatus for making paper.

The objects attained in the practice of the invention consist in an improved method for proportioning, mixing and furnishing the paper making machine with paper stock and for recovering broke and overflow stock from the machine and returning it to the stock circulating system in a coordinated apparatus.

In preferred form of the apparatus the furnish (paper stock) for the paper making machine is prepared as to the mixing of the ingredients in a continu'ous flow controlled by automatic meters as distinguished from preparing the different ingredients in batches and mixing by the well known methods of the common practice.

The use of automatic meters, which in their preferred form are timed by a direct connection to the speed of the paper making machine, results in the weightof the sheet being thus held more uniformly and closely to the desired figure, with the further result that changes in the furnish can be made without a break in the paper. The meters being directly driven. from and discharging, directly to the paper machine fan pump, the machine chest and stuff pump, now always essential elements in the process, are eliminated, there being no intermediate storage of paper stock.

Where automatic meters are used in the arrangement herein described it is unnecessary when changing from one furnish to another, to first run out the stock in the machine chest, thus enabling the operator to instantly correct any error in the proportions of ingredients and obtaining the highest possible uniformity and quality in the paper. The effect of the adjustments in the furnish of the auxiliary ingredients is almost immediately apparent on the paper machine. The improved method also results in a decrease in the amount of broke stock and an increase in the tonnage of salable paper per unit of time. This is not possible when a reservoir of paper stock is used as in the common practice.

A further object attained in the invention consists in the elimination of various other stock chests or tanks and intermediate stock moving equipment used in the common practice and in substituting therefor direct-action equipment which is less cumbersome and more effective to maintain uniformity of movement of the stock, thus having a beneficial effect on the regularity in Weight and quality of the paper produced.

The coordinated stock recovery system which is a feature of the invention minimizes the importance of the human element in the functioning of the apparatus in-this respect and also reduces to a minimum the possible stock losses through overflows, etc., to the mill drains.

To these gains in the quality, quantity and cost of production are added the further mechanical advantages of a simplified apparatus which is lower in first cost and in maintenance cost and requires less installation space than ordinary paper mill equipment. The importance of these results will be obvious to experienced. paper makers.

My invention is herein illustrated and described both as an improved process for making paperand suitable apparatus in a preferred form for practicing the invention, the accompanying drawings serving to illustrate the coordinated apparatus and also detail features of certain of its novel structural units, the invention being defined in the appended claims within the limitations of the illustrations and also in the broader aspects contemplated in its general practice with any suitable apparatus.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view in elevation illustrating an apparatus in preferred form suitable for practicin the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail View in elevation illustrating the operating connection between the Fourdrinier and the automatic stock proportioning meter;

Fig. 3 is a plan'view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 2; p

-Fig. 4 is a detail in elevation, partly in section, of the automatic stock proportioning meter;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the structural features illustrated in Fig. 4;

Figs. 6 and 7 are views illustrating further detail features of the stock proportionin meter;

ig. 8 is a detail view of a group unit of the paper making apparatus comprising a stock storage tank, pump suction box, pump and stock consistency regulator;

' Fig; 9 is a transverse section through the couch pit;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation part1 in section of the broke stock regulating ox;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the broke stock regulating box.

As here shown in Fig 1 the ground wood slush storage 3 is located on a floor 2 below the main floor 1, the stock moving from the storage by gravity to a pump suction box 4, it being understood that the arrow-head lines throughout the figure represent pipe lines connecting the different units of the apparatus one with another.

A regulator 5 of well known construction is used, as here shown, for regulating the consistency of the stock as it passes through pump 6, which acts to transfer the stock from the suction box to the proportioning meters 9 where the additional ingredients as sulphite, soda, clay, alum, size color, etc, are added to effect a mixture of the required proportions for the kind and quality of paper to be produced An automatic stock proportioning meter embodying the principle of the meter here shown and combined in the preferred form of the invention comprises the subject 'matter of United States Patent No. 15,311 reissued to me and Edward J. Triinbey joint ly, March 21, 1922. For a more ready understanding of the functions of the meter and itsinfluence on the present invention, its main structural features are further 'illustrated in detail Figs. 2 to 7. It will be understood that the use of the automatic meters in connection with the present invention is considered in their broader aspects, that is to say, in any suitable form as may best serve the practice of the invention. Forinstance, certain of the paper stock ingredients, as size, alum, etc., in diluted liquid form can be-added to the stock stream after it has passed the stock meters. the main characteristic being that the mixing of the ingredients is continuous with the proportions of ingredients, as made from time to time according to the kind and grade of paper to be made, maintained auton'iatically.

The ground wood stock is delivered by pump 6 through line 7 into vat 11 of the stock proportioning meter 9, the sulphite soft stock being pumped in a similar manner from any suitable source (not shown) through line 7 into vat 1O of the meter. The action on the stock in'the meter with added ingredients will presently be described. The stoek flows by gravity from the meter through line 12 to pump 13 and is delivered by the pump through line 14 to a screen 15, the overflow stock from the meter being returned through line 8 to the pump suction box 4, From the screen the stock moves by gravity through flow box 16 to the wire 17 of the paper making machine, the excess white water passing to the wire pit 18, these units including the pumps and screen being of a well known construction.

The broke stock from the Fourdrinier wire passes to the couch pit 19, which is of special construction, the feature of novelty consisting of an angularly disposed screen 20 over the couch pit iu'imediately below the couchroll 21 which acts to separate the excess broke stock from the white water which then flows by gravity through line 22 together with the overflow white water from the wire pit 18 to a cylinder save-all 25 of well known (C(JIlStl'ilCtiOll, the main discharge from the wire pit 18 being through gravity flow line 18 to line 12. The broke stock flows over the screen by gravity and is conducted by gravity from the unscreened portion 26 of the couch pit through line 27 to a chest 28. To provide screen 15 with the maximum capacity the opening of the couch pit is extended, as here shown, to the full width ot the pit, or of the paper making machine, thus the screen will have ample capacity for the heavy rush of paper stock at times when the stock is running over the Fourdri'nier wire but is not being carried over from the couch roll to the first press. 7

The stock from the save-all cylinder is restored to the broke, or couch stock, in chest 28, a broke beater 29, preferably as here shown of the continuous extraction principle for reworking accumulations of broke "took from the main press, etc., also discharging direct into the chest. Thestock from the chest is then transferred by a pump 30 through line 31 into abroke regulating box 32 and is thence returned by gravity through lines 33 and 8 to pump suction box 4. The clarified water from the cylinder savesall flows into a tank 34 and is then transferred by a pump 35 through line 36 to a shower pipe 37 disposed over the Fourdrinier wire adjacent the couch roll, the shower acting ina well known manner to Hush and clean the wire.

Referring now tothe structural features of the several units of mechanisms which have been combined in a novel relation in the coordinated action of 'the. paper making up paratus.

The automatic stock consistency regulator 5 is of a well known type and. its functions are well understood in the paper making in.-

dustry. However, as here shown, the reguaction of the three units, greater uniformity inthe volume oi the flow to'the mixers and from the mixers'to the paper'making' mawater and deliver the broke stock from the papermaking machine under all ordinary conditions of operation.

In'detail Figs. 10 and 11 a suitable construction is shown in one form for the broke stock regulator, the same consisting, as here here shown by a motor-67 through asuitable gear connection 68-69, the motor being controlled by a stop-and-start switch 70 which in turn is connected to the float valve 64. The stock is delivered from flow box by gravity through line 33, to-overflow line 8, and thence through line 4* to the pump suction box 4.

From the foregoing detailed description.

of the improved process and the diagram of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. L-together with the illustrations of structural features in the detail figures, the practice of the invention and the advantages derived thereby will be understoodby experienced paper makers.

It is noted that while the use of the automatic meters as herein shown adds to the effective operation of the improved system, they are not necessary to the practice of the invention with other forms of mixing apparatus, for example, the batch method of preparing the stock.

' With respect to the novel screening feature employed at the couch pit, it is pointed out that a general fault and a source of constant stock loss in the common practice is thus corrected. Experience proves that' it is difficult, to persuade machine tenders to dump the couch pits with regularity. When the paper on the machine is running well, the

dumping of the couch pit full of stockresults in changing the weight' of the sheet, and when there is a break in the paper, the machine crew is usually too much occupied to give attention to the couch pit stock. Thus the couch pit is full of stock most of the time and the white water overflow carries a large porion of the accumulation away as waste to the mill drains. The improved couch pit, having reference to the function of the added screen, requires little or no attention and prevents excessive accumulation of stock and white water, no waste resulting, also the broke stock is directed to better advantage in the means provided to again deliver it through the return lines to the paper making machine.

The improved paper making system as a whole has proved highly effective ina number of paper mills where the invention is in'daily operation. Its "advantages, briefly stated in summary, consisting in asimplified, lower cost apparatus, reduced operating with the meter-a quantity register 71 of any suitable type which acts to register the quantity of broke stock passing through the meter and thus to provide a record from which operating efiiciency data can be computed. Having described my invention, I claim:

ing paper consisting in automatically effecting and maintaining the consistency of certain stock ingredients, as the ground wood .pulp, near its source of supply, in effecting continuous delivery of the stock so regulated to a common stream for mixing stock ingredients, and in maintaining a continuous flow of the mixed stock directly to the paper making machine.

2. The herein described process for making paper consisting inautomatically efi'ecting and ma ntaining the consistency-of certain stock ingredients, as the ground wood pulp, near its source of supply, in effecting constant uniformity'of head pressure in the stock stream near said source of supply, in effecting continuous delivery of the stock so regulated to a common stream for mixing stock ingredients and in maintaining acontinuous flow of the mixed stock direct to the paper making machine.

3. The herein described process. for making paper consisting in automatically-reflecting and maintaining the consistency of certain stock ingredients, as the ground wood pulp, near its source of supply, in effecting continuous delivery of the stock so regulated to a common stream for mixing stock ingredients, and in maintaining a continuous flow of themixed stock directly to the paper making machine and in returning broke stock from the paper making machine to the stock 1. The herein described process for male I circulating line at a point in advance of to a common stream for mixing stock ingreconsistency of the dients, in maintaining a continuous flow of the mixed stock to the paper making machine and in returning-broke stock from the paper making machine and overflow mixedxstock to the stock circulating line at a point in advance of said regulation of the consistency of the stock.

5. The herein described process for making paper consisting in automatically effectchine is obtained and paper of better quality is produced.

Structural features of the group unit of pulp storage tank, pump suction box, con sistency regulator and pump are shown in detail Fig. 8. It will lie-observed that the individual units are all direct connected one with another, that a constant head is main tained in the suction box by the well known means as a. float valve as indicated at 54 and that the consistency regulator is furnished with sample stock from line 7 through a line connection 55,-it being understood that the supply of sample stock to the regulator is constant, the return flow being to the. pump suction box. Also, the broke stock is returned to the supply line 4, intermediate the pulp storage tank and the suction box for the double purpose of maintaining uniformity inthe consistency of the stock and to prevent flooding of the suction box. Thin-- ning Water for the stock is introduced through line 6 at apoint. immediately adjacent the suction line connection to the pump, the volume of water delivered through line 6 being automatically controlled by the consistency regulator. Eifectivemeans for maintaining constantly a high condition of consistency and uniform flow of the stock are provi ed in the coordinated action of the group unit.

Structural features of the automatic stock meter or mixer are illustrated in'detail Figs.

2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, Figs. 2 and 3 illustrating the direct operating connection in one form of the meter to the paper making machine which serves to maintain an invariable speed relation between the two units and therefore a. balanced relation of the stock when the proportions of the ingredients have been determined at the meter, the volume of flow ofthe various ingredients through the meter be ng thus automatically regulated to the speed of the paper web through the paper' machine. Any suitable driving connection between .the meter and Fouidrinier machine will serve to effect this regulation-0f the stock. As here shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the driving connection is from a gear 38 connected-to the couch roll shaft, through an'intermedif ate gear 39, shaft 40, belt'pulleys .4142, belt 43, variable speed pulleys 44, belt 45, belt pulleys 46-47, belt 48, clutch shaft 49, intern'iediate gears 5052 to the main meters 53. the variablespeed pulleys 44 being controlled by a belt shifter rod 54 for adjusting the relative speeds between the stock mixer. and

livery of the stock to t e machine. By means of thisdirect drive through the variable speed connection the thickness of the paperor weight of paper is brought/t0 the desired figure by moving the-beltshifter. Once aper machine at the desired- -ratio according to the re uired rate of deset, the quality of the paper does not change If the paper -machine speeds up or slows down all of the individual ingredient meters speed up or slow down accordingly and thus hold the weight of the sheet, also the composition or quality of the paper, umform regardless of fluctuations in the speed of the paper machine. This is highly important as it puts the Weight. uniformity and quality of the paper under automatic control and better results are obtained than is possible by hand regulations as in the common practice, which require skill on the part of the operator. Y

As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the mam stock ingredients--ground wood pulp and sulphite-are delivered respectively from the receiving tanks 1011 through the meters 53 into a flow box 56. Other ingredients, as size, color, alum, clay, etc., are also delivered, as here shown, in kind and quantity as required into flow box 56, all ingredients being then conducted through a. second flow box 57, thorough mixing of the stock resulting from the-interferencebetween the stream lines of different ingredients as the iliary meter is illustrated for supplying the various additional ingredients to the stock in flow box 56, each unit comprising, as here shown, a charging or receiving vat 58, the

ingredients being supplied to the vat from any suitable source, a meter 59, a flow box 60 and a geared connection 61-62 to the main stock meters 53, an adjustable gate .62?

being provided at the meter to regulate the discharge opening. These structural fea-' .tures" of automatic meters of the principle here illustrated are well known in the art and do not require further description in connection with the present invention. It will be understood that the -meters, being direct connected and therefore timed to the speed of the paper making machine, act to regulate the stock ingredients as to volume and to converge'the ingredients into a mix ture in a continuous common stream in which intimate intermixing or blendingof the stock takes place as it is conducted to the paper making machine. I

It will be observed in the diagram Fig. 1 that pipe lines 12 and 14 are represented at 12 as connected one with the other. This is for the pur se of flushing line 12, which flb line and becomes clogged is a gravity w I at times with the stock, from line 14. which is a pressure line, thus. to maintain free movement of the stock. I

'It will be observed in Fig. 9 that the stock separating screen extends across the full width of the couch pit, ample capacity being thus provided to extract the white ing and maintaining the consistency of certaln stock ingredients, as the ground wood pulp, near its source of supply, in effecting continuous delivery of the stock so regulated to a common stream for mixlng stock ingredients in maintaining a continuous flow of the mixed stock to thepaper making machine and in causing the flow of brokestock from the paper making machine to be equalized and returned to the stock circulating line at a point in advance of said regulation of consistency of the stock.

6. The herein described process for making paper consisting in automatically efi'ecting and maintaining the consistency of certain stock ingredients, as the ground wood pulp, near its source of supply, in effecting direct, continuous delivery of the stock so regulated under constant head pressure to a common stream formixing stock ingredients and in maintaining a continuous flow of the mixed stock directly to the paper making machine.

7. The herein described process for making paper consisting in causing the fluid stock ingredients to be mixed in a common stream as it advances to the paper making machine, in effecting separation of the excess white water from the broke stock as the stock passes from the paper making machine, in recovering the stock in the white Water, combining it again with the broke stock and redelivering the combined stock through return lines to the paper making machine.

8. The herein described process for making paper consisting in causing the fluid stock ingredients to be mixed in a common stream as it advances to the paper making machine, in etl ecting separation by gravity of the excess white water from the broke stock as the stock passes from the paper making machine, in recovering the Stock in the white water, combining it again with the broke stock and redelivering the combined stock through return lines to the paper making machine.

9. The herein described process for making paper consisting in causing the fluid stock ingredients to be mixed in a common stream as it advances to the paper making machine, in causingthe broke stock as it passes from the paper making machine to flow over a screen to efl'ect separation by gravity of the excess white water from the stock, in recoveringthe stock in the white Water, combining it again with the broke stock and redelivering the combined stock through return lines to the paper making machine.

10. The herein described process for making paper, consistin in causing the fluid stock ingredients to be mixed in a common stream as it advances to the paper making machine, in effecting separation of the excess white water from the broke stock as the broke stock and redelivering the combinedstock to return lines of the paper making machine at a point in advance of the mixing of the stock ingredients.

'11. The herein described process for making paper consisting in causing the fluid stock ingredients to be mixed in .a common stream as it advances to the paper making machine, in efiecting separation .of the excess white water from the broke stock as the stock passes from the couch roll of the machine, in recovering the stock in the white water, combining it again with the broke stock, in regulating the combined stock and redelivering it through return lines to said machine.

12. The herein described process for making paper consisting in causing the paper stock to pass over the wire of the paper making machine, in effecting separation of the excess white water from the broke stock as the stock passes from the couch roll of the machine, in recovering the stock in the White water, combining it again with the broke stock and redclivering the combined stock through return lines to the said machine.

13. The herein described process for making paper consisting in causing the paper stock to pass over the wire of the paper making machine, in causing the broke stock as it passes from the wire of the machine and the overflow from the wire pit to flow over a screen to efi'ect separation by gravity of.

the excess white water from the stock, in recovering the stock in the white water, combining it again with the broke stock and redelivering the combined stock through-return lines to said machine.

14. The herein described process for makthe stock passes from the couch roll of the.

machine, in recovering the stock in the White water, combining it again with the broke stock and redelivering the combined stock through return lines to the machine, and in causing a ortion of the clarified White water to be tlisciiarged'in a shower over the Wire of said machine. i

15. A paper making apparatus including in the combination of a paper stock circulating system, means to regulate the consistency of a stock ingredient, as the ground wood pulp, near its source of supply, means acting constantly to combine the regulated stock in a common stream for mixing stock ingredients flowing continuously direct to the paper making machine.

16. A paper making apparatus including in the combination of a paper stock circulatlate the consistency of sai acting constantly to combine the regulated.

stock in a common stream for mixing stock ingredients flowing continuously direct to the paper making machine and means for returning broke stock from said machine to the stock circulating line at a point in advance of said consistency regulating means.

18. A paper making apparatus including in the combination of a paper stock circulating system, means to regulate the consistency of a stock ingredient, as the ground wood pulp, near its source of supply, means acting constantly to combine the regulated stock in a common stream for mixing stock ingredients flowing continuously to the paper making machine and means for equalizing the flow of broke stock from said machine and in returning said broke stock to the stock circulating line at a point in advance of said consistency regulating means.

19. A pa er making apparatus including in the com ination of a paper stock circulating system, a continuous stock mixer, a gravity flow line for conveying the mixed stock to a given point, a pressure line for conveying the stock beyond said point, and a connection between said lines for flushing the flow line from thepressure line.

20. A paper making apparatus including in the combination, of a paper stock circulating system, a screen disposed in the flow of broke stock from the paper making machine to the couch pit acting to separate the excess'white water from the stock.

21. A paper making apparatus including in the combination of a, paper stock circulating system, a screen disposed in the flow of broke stock from the paper making machine tothe couch pit acting to separate the excess white water from the stock and means to recover the stock in thediverted white water.

22'.'A paper making apparatus including in the combination of a paper stock circulating system, a screen disposed in the flow of broke stock from the paper making machine to the couch pit acting to separate the excess .white water from the stock, means to recover the stock in the diverted white water and to restore it to the broke stock.

' 23. A paper makin apparatus including in the combination 0 a paper stock circulating system, a screen disposed in the flow of broke stock from the paper making machine to the couch pit acting to separate the excess white water from the stock, means to recover the stock in the diverted white water and to restore it to the broke stock and means to direct the combined stock to the return lines of the paper making machine.

24. A paper making apparatus including in the combination of a paper stock circulating system, a screen disposed in the flow of broke stock from the paper making machine to the couch pit acting to separate the excess white water from the stock, means to recover the stock in the diverted white water and to discharge the clarified Water in a shower over the return side wire of the paper making machine.

25. A paper making apparatus including in the combination of a paper stock circulatingsystem, a screen disposed in the flow of the broke stock from the wire of the paper making machine and in the overflow from the wire pit to the couch pit acting to extract the excess white water from the stock.

26. The herein described process for making paper consisting in supplying the paper stock ingredients in diluted form to a common stream and in maintaining the composition and volume of flow of the stream directly to and in agreement with the instant and continuous demand of a paper making machine.

27. The herein described process for making paper consisting in supplying the paper stock ingredients in diluted form to a common stream flowing directly to a paper making machineand in causing the volume of flow of said stream to fluctuate proportion ately to the variation in the instant and continuous stock requirement of said machine.

28. The herein described process for making paper consisting in supplying the ingredients in diluted form to a common stream and in preserving the continuity and direct volume of flow ot' the stream between the point of composition of the stock and the paper making machine.

29. The herein described process for making paper consisting in supplying the ingredients in diluted form to a common stream in combining with said common stream a stream of return broke stock and preserving the continuity and direct flow of the combined stream from point of confluence to the paper machine.

' 30. The herein described process for making paper consisting in supplying the ingredients in diluted formto a common stream and in joining with said common stream a stream of the broke stock and a stream of return water from the paper making machine preserving the continuity of the stream from the int of said confluence' to the paper making machine.

y 31. The herein described process for making paper consisting in causing the stock'in-' gredients to be mixed in a common stream flowing directly to a paper making machine and in automaticall synchronizing the volume ofleach of sald elements preceding their confluence in' said stream, with the. movement of the newly formed paper web on said machine.

32. The herein described process. for making paper consisting in causing the stock inredients to be {mixed in. a common stream owing directlyto a paper making machine and in effecting 'a regulating'relation. between said elements preceding their-confluence in said stream whereby the volume of flow of the stream willbe automatically regulated to the paperstock requirement of the machine.

33. The herein described process: for.mak-' ing aper consisting in causing the stock inre ients to be mixed 1n a common stream owing directly to a paper making machine and in controlling automatically .from said machine the volume-of said elements at the point of their confluence. into said stream whereby the volume of the flow will be co--- ordinated to the a paper stock'requirement of the machine.

'34. The herein described process for mak ing paper consistingjin causin stock to 'fiow continuously and irectly to a paper making machine and in controlling automatically from said machine the volume of the flow according to' the quirement of the machine. a v

35. A paper making apparatus comprising in combination, means to cause a com-- mon stream of paper stock ingredients to flow continuously and directly to a paper making machine and an operatin 'connec:

tion between said means and sai machine whereby the 'volume of the stream will be automatically regulated according to the stock requirements of the machine.

36. A paper making apparatus compristhe paper paperstock 're- 'ing in combination, means to cause a common stream of paper-stock ingredients to flow continuously and directly to a paper makingflmachine and an operating connection between said means and said machine whereby the volumeof the stream will be automatically regulated according to the;

stock requirements of themachine, and

means'to return broke stock from the mach ne to said common stream.

38. The herein described process for mak-' ing'paper. consisting in causing the paper stock ingredients to be proportioned and combined at ai common point in the stock circulating system, in causing the combined stock to flow continuously and directly in a common stream from said point to the paper making machine to gredients. I

.39, The herein described process for making paper consisting in causing the paper' .stockingredients to be. proportioned and combine at a common point in the stock circulatin system, in causing the combined stock to owcontinuousl and directly in a common stream from sai point to the paper making machine to effect mixin of said in- .37. A paper making apparatus ,comprism effect mixing of said 111:.

gradients and in causing the. roke stock rom said machine to be returned to the stock circulatingsystem at a vance of saidpoint for combining the stock ingredlents. I a

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

CARLTONH. ALLEN.

point in ad- 

